Michigan Football staff picks for Appalachian State game

Michigan will host Appalachian State on Saturday at the Big House. The season opener for both teams will kickoff at noon and be televised on ESPN2. Below you will find our staff picks for the game. Let us know what you think and leave your prediction in the comments.

Michigan finally gets to take the field again and start washing away the bad taste left behind by a disappointing 2013 season. The Wolverines will look to wash away another bad taste as they host Appalachian State in week one. This isn’t the same revved up team that shocked the nation in 2007 with a win at the Big House, but there’s no chance Brady Hoke will let his team take them lightly. Michigan’s defense should be much improved this year. The offense has plenty of talent, but all eyes will be on the o-line. Will they be able to control the line of scrimmage? Michigan should be good for a couple of big plays and will win this game by a comfortable margin – 42-17 Wolverines.

It’s been a while since their last historic matchup but Michigan is still Michigan and Appalachian State is still Appalachian State. The App State team that beat Michigan in 2007 was legit. This year’s squad is coming off a rough 4-8 season. But the ghosts of 2007 are always lurking. As wide receiver Devin Funchess said, “That was a different team. I wasn’t even watching football at the time, I was still a basketball player. I just feel like they have an edge on us. They’re 1-0 against us and were 0-1 against them. So, August 30th will tell the tale.” I predict Michigan wins 38-10

The thought of Appalachian State coming into the Big House for the season opener doesn’t sit well for Wolverines fans, however, there is no need to panic this time around. Michigan will have no troubles getting the running game going as the Mountaineers defense allowed more than 220 yards per game. The Wolverines will have two backs with at least 100 yards in this lopsided contest. Michigan wins 52-16

I think this will be a blowout in favor of Michigan. The Wolverines have won their previous five openers and are seeking to add a sixth straight in the win column. The last time Michigan played Appalachian State resulted in a shocking 34-32 loss in 2007. I predict that the Wolverines will show off their spring and fall training by making a statement that Michigan football is back. Michigan wins 30-7

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About Rob White

Co-founder and Michigan Wolverines correspondent at isportsweb.com. I'm a major league sports junkie, love my hometown Michigan and Detroit area teams. I have a particular affinity for the NCAA Tournament and baseball as well.
I've been covering Michigan Football and Michigan Basketball since 2009.
You can follow me on Twitter @isportsRob

WOLVERINE

ALSO,

I AM AWARE THAT APPALAHCIAN STATE IS NOW IN DIV. IA. (FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT HAVE GOTTEN THE IMPRESSION THAT I WASN’T!!!!)!!!!

BEST,
WOLVERINE

WOLVERINE

ALSO, CENTRAL MICHIGAN (IA TEAM) HAD TO RALLY PAST CHATTANOOGA (IAA TEAM). I GUESS, IN SOMES WAYS, DON’T BE SURPRISED IF IT IS A CLOSE (OR RELATIVELY CLOSE) GAME — REGARDLESS OF WHETHER MICHIGAN WINS THE GAME OR NOT.

— WOLVERINE

WOLVERINE

^HEY EVERYONE^,

HOW’S IT GOING???!!!! IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT EFFECT (IF ANY) THE WEATHER WILL HAVE ON THIS GAME, AND TO SEE WHO THAT FAVORS (I.E. WHICH TEAM BENEFITS FROM IT). IT IS SUPPOSED TO RAIN TOMORROW AND PARTICULARLY THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON. ALSO, AND READ INTO THIS HOWEVER YOU WANT, BUT GEORGIA STATE (DIV. IA TEAM) HAD TO RALLY TO BEAT ABILENE CHRISTIAN (A DIV. IAA TEAM). WE’LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS. ****^^^^THANKS & PEACE!!!!^^^^****

— WOLVERINE

MikeDeeGoBlue

Nothing to worry about in this one, this team is more prepared than in previous years. Appetizer State is running into a buzz saw tomorrow!